Recreational Therapy During the Holidays (It’s Spooky Spirit Week)

The holiday season has begun, and one of the biggest reasons we hear for putting off residential treatment is, “I do not want to be in a treatment facility during the holidays.” At Sanford Behavioral Health, we think the holidays are a very good time to commit to getting help for an eating disorder. Why? […]

Excursions in Rehab – 12-Step, Alum, GLAD & Outdoor Group Meetings

Since 2016, Sanford Behavioral Health has prioritized excursions into the community as a vital part of addiction treatment and recovery. Today, at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus, recreational therapy, art therapy, and recovery outings provide residents with an opportunity to participate in real-life scenarios in the safety of treatment. Coupled with other evidence-based practices, excursions […]

Happy Trails – 5 Favorite Michigan Excursions

Atย Sanford Behavioral Health, excursions are opportunities for our clients to experience real life in the safety of treatment. Excursions provide authentic opportunities to unpack feelings and triggers. They also rekindle or develop new interests that help make long-term recovery manageable and fun. Happy Trails We recommend walking excursions while in treatment and long-term recovery. With […]

Recreational Therapy for Eating Disorders – Limelight Interview

Recreational therapy at Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (Sanford CTED) is “a bit hard to define,” according to Tori TerAvest, CTRS, and Raina Bawden, CTRS. Both are certified DBT specialists, and Tori is a certified yoga instructor, but they wear many hats. You might find them running process groups, leading a light yoga session, […]

Don’t Call it Gym Class: Recreational Therapy for Eating Disorders

  Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is essential to the comprehensive treatment of those with eating disorders at Sanford Behavioral Health. People seeking treatment may feel lost and disconnected from their identity, values, bodies, and leisure interests because of their eating disorder(s). This is where the recreational therapist steps in as part of […]

Michigan Excursions – Nature Therapy in the Great Outdoors

  I work for Sanford Behavioral Health, and as the marketing director, I notice the organization’s communal language. Words have power and we are in the business of stigma busting, so we are mindful about our words when it comes to addiction, eating disorders, and mental health conditions. A few years ago, when we launched […]

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8 Reasons Lake Michigan is Good for your Health

  Why do we gravitate toward water? Why is it so hypnotic to watch the waves? There is a reason every stretch of waterfront is laden with houses and parks – it’s where we want to be. Those who live near the ocean swear by the healing powers of the salty sea. And there is […]

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